David French: The Midterm Backlash—Moral Awakening or Wallet Rage?

Did America Find Its Conscience or Lose Its Patience?

 

Did the 2026 midterm elections reveal a moral awakening or frustration with higher prices and political chaos? New York Times columnist and Good Faith "founding friend" David French joins Curtis Chang on the Good Faith podcast to examine what the results suggest about corruption, voter priorities, and Christian political engagement. They explore why neither party should claim ownership of Christian voters, whether Republicans can recover a faith expressed through service to the vulnerable, and the appeal of James Talarico and Adam Hamilton. David and Curtis also ask how American Christians can pursue repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation in their families and churches wounded by politics.

 

03:12 - Was The Election a Moral Rebuke of Politics as Usual?

07:37 - The Difference Between Moral Awakening and Material Backlash

10:47 - Why Moral Interpretation Matters

17:38 - Were Voters Above Democracy's Minimum Virtue Line?

22:35 - The Case for an Economic Self-Interest Explanation

29:57 - How Did Religion Shape the Election

33:20 - Christian Faith Beyond Party Identity

35:48 - Possibility of a Christian Republican Renewal

43:10 - Classifying the Election: A Blowout

47:25 - Has Political Repentance Occurred?

51:36 - Reconciliation Before Repentance

 

Has your family, a friendship, or church experienced reconciliation after political conflict? We'd love to hear your story. Email us at askcurtis@goodfaith.org.

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• Ryan Burge: "How Protestant Denominations Have Voted from 2008 to 2024"
• PEPFAR: The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
• The New Yorker: David Brooks's Conversion Story (need a subscription to read)

 

Scriptures:

• Mark 12:31 (ESV)
• Luke 15:11–32 (ESV)
• Romans 5:8–10 (ESV)

 

More from David French:

• David French's New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

 

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.